Brock James 2010

 

Australian Brock leads Clermont to Top 14 final May 16, 2010

May 16, 2010, The Age

Australian fly-half Brock James emerged from weeks of torment to inspire Clermont to their fourth successive Top 14 final and 11th in all on Saturday as they edged out three-time champions Toulon 35-29 after extra-time.

Clermont, who saw a 10-point lead wiped out with just three minutes of regular time remaining by a resilient Toulon outfit, will face titleholders Perpignan - who beat Toulouse on Friday - in the final on May 29 at the Stade de France.
James, who was distraught after a dreadful performance with the boot in the European Cup quarter-final defeat by Leinster in March, landed a penalty and then a stunning long-range drop goal in extra-time to turn the match their way once more.
"There was a little bit of luck. I practice drop goals, but from 55 metres, no," said the Australian, who was dubbed 'Calamity James' by sections of the French media after his disastrous European Cup showing.

The match had been a kicking contest between Morgan Parra and Jonny Wilkinson with two late tries in regulation time, by Clermont's Georgian prop Davit Zhirakashvili and then Toulon's Kiwi former rugby league star Sonny Bill Williams taking it into extra-time.
A tight opening quarter saw Toulon - unbeaten in their last 11 matches - shade it 6-3 with their points coming from Wilkinson, one a superlative drop goal in reply to Anthony Floch's drop goal from 30 metres out in the fifth minute after being set up by Parra.
Wilkinson, who had a poor Six Nations before being replaced in the starting line-up for the final match against France, had put Toulon ahead in the third minute with a penalty.
Parra - one of France's players of their Six Nations Grand Slam win - levelled matters with a penalty in the 27th minute only for Wilkinson to restore the three-point lead four minutes later.

Clermont - who trounced Toulon 39-3 in January and beat them twice in championship semi-finals on the two previous occasions they met - should have been down to 14 men as Malzieu was fortunate just to get a ticking off rather than a yellow card for deliberately treading on a Toulon player.
Clermont, though, were to draw level and then take the lead for the first time in the match within the opening 10 minutes of the second-half thanks to two superbly taken penalties by Parra, the first from 50 metres out and then the second from 55 metres.
Parra extended their lead with another penalty just before the hour mark, only for Wilkinson to land one of his own in the 63rd minute.
However, Clermont looked to have sealed their place in the final when they scored the first try of the match through Zirakashvili whose try was controversially awarded by the referee.
The Georgian dropped the ball over the line only to regather and touch it down.
Parra converted to make it 22-12 with just 10 minutes remaining.

Toulon, though, were level within seven minutes as first Williams went over from five metres out flattening Parra in the process who had to go off.
Wilkinson converted and then the England fly-half added a penalty to make it 22-22 and take the game into extra-time.

Clermont had all the possession in the first-half of extra-time and were parked on the Toulon five metres line but despite that all they came away with was a James penalty late in the period which gave them a 25-22 advantage going into the second-half.
James then trumped that as picking up a clearance by Wilkinson inside his half, he unleashed a stunning drop goal from over 50 metres out which sailed between the posts.
Clermont then looked to have once again sealed their place in the final when Malzieu kicked deep into opposition territory and outpaced Gabriele Lovobalavu to touch down which James converted to make it 35-22 with five minutes remaining.

However, back came Toulon again and replacement scrum-half Fabien Cibray went over which he also converted.
Only a last ditch tackle prevented Toulon from drawing to within a point as Lovobalavu was bundled into touch metres from the line.

ASM Clermont Auvergne vs. USAP Perpignan

Fromhttp://www.daylife.com/photo/0a2i1heeNI7cH?q=brock+james
Photos from Getty Images

Perpignan's French fullback Jerome Porical (R) fails to stop Clermont's Australian fly-half Brock James (L) during the French Top 14 rugby union match ASM Clermont Auvergne vs. USAP Perpignan at the Marcel Michelin stadium on December 29, 2010 in Clermont-Ferrand.

Clermont's Australian fly-half Brock James hits a penalty kick during the French Top 14 rugby union match ASM Clermont Auvergne vs. USAP Perpignan at the Marcel Michelin stadium on December 29, 2010 in Clermont-Ferrand.

Perpignan's French fullback Jerome Porical (L) fails to stop Clermont's Australian fly-half Brock James (R) during the French Top 14 rugby union match ASM Clermont Auvergne vs. USAP Perpignan at the Marcel Michelin stadium on December 29, 2010 in Clermont-Ferrand.

Clermont-Ferrand's Australian fly-half Brock James (C) runs with the ball during the European Cup HC match ASM Clermont Auvergne vs. Leinster at the Marcel Michelin stadium on December 12, 2010 in Clermont-Ferrand, central France.

Clermont's Australian fly-half Brock James (R) is tackled by Paris' fullback Hugo Southwell during the French Top 14 rugby union match ASM Clermont-Auvergne vs. Stade-Francais at the Marcel Michelin stadium on October 30, 2010 in Clermont-Ferrand.

Clermont's fly-half Brock James (C) vies with Castres' hooker Mathieu Bonello (L) during the French Top 14 rugby union match Clermont-Auvergne vs Castres Olympique at the Marcel Michelin stadium on September 25, 2010 in Clermont-Ferrand.

Clermont-Ferrand's Australian fly-half Brock James hits a penalty kick during the French Top 14 rugby union match Clermont-Ferrand vs. Montpellier at the Marcel Michelin stadium on September 5, 2010 in Clermont-Ferrand.

Clermont's fly-half Brock James catches the ball during the French Top 14 rugby union final match Perpignan versus Clermont-Ferrand, on May 29, 2010 at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis, northern Paris. Clermont won 19-6.

Clermont's fly-half Brock James celebrates with Clermont's fans after Clermont winning the French Top 14 rugby union final match Perpignan versus Clermont-Ferrand, on May 29, 2010 at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis, northern Paris. Clermont won 19-6.

Clermont's Australian fly-half Brock James (R) scores a try during their French Top 14 rugby union match Clermont-Ferrand versus Montpellier at the Marcel Michelin stadium on March 27, 2010 in Clermont-Ferrand, central France.

Brock James

From:http://www.espnscrum.com/australia/rugby/player/27489.html

Born October 22, 1981
Current age 29 years 107 days
Major teams Barbarians, Clermont Auvergne
Position Fly-half
Height 1.77 m Weight 87 kg

Although he has never been capped by his native Australia, Brock James is considered one of the best fly-halves currently operating in European rugby.

He represented his country at U21 level but, despite productive spells with the Queensland Reds and Western Force, he never made the breakthrough at international level and the Australian Rugby Union barely protested when James opted to leave his homeland to join Clermont Auvergne in 2006.

James had been charged with arduous task of filling the void left by British & Irish Lions No.10 Stephen Jones, who had returned to Wales after a hugely successful spell in France, but it was one that the former Sevens star rose to exceptionally well.

James was the Top 14's top points scorer in each of his first two seasons with Clermont and made history when he landed a staggering 41 successive placed kicks between January 4 and March 28 of 2009.

However, while he has proven a major success in France, and helped Clermont lift the European Challenge Cup in 2007, he has experienced plenty of heartbreak. Indeed, Clermont have been beaten in the Top 14 play-off final in three successive seasons and have been repeatedly found wanting in the Heineken Cup.

However, James still has time to end Clermont's wait for a major title success as he recently committed himself to the club until the end of the 2012 season.

What about James?

By Paddy Kilmurray - March 14th 2010 @ 4:07am
Roar

Australian rugby has suffered without a notable goal kicker. Matt Burke held down the fort for years before Elton Flatley steered the Wallabies into a World Cup final.

Sterling Mortlock kicked in the low 80% range but has struggled so far this season with the Brumbies and appears to be the twilight of his Wallabies career.

So, what about Brock James? Are the Wallabies seriously thinking on embarking on another World Cup campaign with Giteau kicking at 73%? There's no debating the fact that Giteau is a certain starter, however, his place kicking is not on the same level as the likes of Dan Carter, Morne Steyne or Johnny Wilkinson.

Robbie Deans has been in talks with Dan Vickerman in order to have him back for his leadership and ability in set piece, but what measure is he taking to have our goal kicking in order. Giteau has plenty on his plate, the last pressure he needs is that of extra points.

Brock James has been kicking consistently for Clermont in the French Top 14. His percentage is well into the 80's. He also holds the record for most consecutive place kicks in a season at 41. Anyone who's watched him play lately could also comment on his superb form particularly in their most recent game against Perpignon.

He should certainly be an asset for the Wallabies to consider, however, seems to be the point-scoring machine they're not interested in.